The 5 French films to watch on TV5MONDE in February

As February draws upon us, TV5MONDE gives us a selection of flicks with characters that persevere, whether it's in a 40 year love-hate relationship, a young woman who follows her job to India, or a deluded surfer pursuing his dreams in Nice. 

Brice 3 (2016)

February 3 at 8:30PM ET/5:30PM PT, with English subtitles

Jean Dujardin sparkles as usual in this cheeky comedy, on par with Keanu Reeves' Ted in 1989 classic, Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.

Brice is back. The world has changed, but he hasn't. When his friend Marius asks him for help, Brice embarks on an adventure on the other side of the world. In sunny Hawaii, the Lord of the Board will teach us to always look on the ''Brice'' side of life.

"Dujardin, who developed the character himself years ago, is clearly in his element and his jocular brio will likely keep local audiences hooked. " - Hollywood Reporter

Directed by: James Huth 
Cast: Jean Dujardin (Brice), Clovis Cornillac (Marius), Bruno Salomone (Igor), Alban Lenoir (Gregor)

Genre: Comedy
Run Time: 1h 35m

Monsieur et Madame Adelman (2017)

February 10 at 8.35PM ET/5:35PM PT, with English subtitles

Love is complicated, and in Monsieur and Madame Adelman, it perseveres... for 40 years. A smashing first film for French writer Nicolas Bedos.

How did Sarah and Victor manage to put up with each other for more than 45 years? And who was this mysterious woman actually, living in the shadow of a famous husband? Love and ambition, treason and secrets blend together as we follow the odyssey of this extraordinary couple, within the greater story of the past century.

“There are a few memorable scenes, especially a hilarious Christmas dinner with Victor's father (the great Pierre Arditi) that turns disastrous, and some of the dialogue is fast and clever in a screwball comedy kind of way" Hollywood Reporter

Directed by: Nicolas Bedos
Cast: Doria Tillier (Sarah Adelman), Nicolas Bedos (Victor Adelman), Denis Podalydès (The psychologist), Antoine Gouy (The journalist), Christiane Millet (Mrs. De Richemont)
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Run Time: 2h 00m

Caïn (Season 6, 2017)

February 10 at 11PM ET/8PM PT, with English subtitles

Much anticipated, and as quick witted and thrilling as ever, complex and provocative Captain Fred Caïn returns on wheels to catch the bad guys. 

As the police try to arrest Tina, gunfire breaks out and a passer-by is killed. Who fired? A police officer under the orders of Lucie, the new regional crime squad commander? Or Tina? Caïn focuses on the only witness, Antoine Dupré. A blind witness, but one who still arouses suspicion...

"The behavior of House, the intelligence of Columbo,...It would be a shame to reduce Caïn, the wheelchair-bound cop to a pale comparison of these American figures. The inspector from Marseille has his own style, which is delicate, sharp and witty." - Télérama"

Directed by: François Troukens and Jean-François Hensgens 
Cast: Olivier Gourmet (Frank Valken), Lubna Azabal (Lucie Tesla), Kevin Janssens (Vik), Bouli Lanners (Dany Bouvy), Tibo Vandenborre (Santo), Bérénice Baôo (Nora), Karim Barras (Alain Rolesko), Natacha Régnier (Judge Véroniue Pirotte), Anne Coesens (Hélène), Johan Leysen (Procureur Jean Lemoine)
Genre: Crime Drama
Runtime: 1hr 26m

Crash test Aglaé (2017)

February 17 at 8.30PM ET/5:30PM PT, with English subtitles

Whereas most hits at the American box office have a habit of crushing the odd and unconventional out of any given script, Crash Test Aglaé has one of those quirky storylines and peculiar characters that you'd expect from any good foreign film.

Aglaé, a young worker, has only one reference point in life: her job in a car crash test factory. When she learns the factory she works at will be relocated, she agrees to go to India so she will notlose her job. Accompanied by two colleagues, she embarks on a perilous journey by car to the end of the world.

"Aglaé (played by a straight-faced, dry, and very droll India Hair) is charming in the lead role... Her colleagues are well cast and provide plenty of laughs, both granting a welcome subtlety to two characters who so easily could have been made into caricatures." - Filmdoo

Directed by: Éric Gravel
Cast: :[nbsp]India Hair (Aglaé), Julie Depardieu (Liette), Yolande Moreau (Marcelle), Anne Charrier (The HRD), Frédérique Bel (Lola), Tristan Ulloa (Clovis), Adil Hussain (Shankar)
Genre: Comedy, Drama 
Runtime: 1h 25m

L'ami, Saint François d'Assises et ses frères (2016)

February 24 at 8.35PM ET/5:35PM PT, with English subtitles

A rich and striking look at the famed and influential life of one of the Catholic church's most significant figure in its history.

At the dawn of the thirteenth century in Italy, the simple and fraternal life of Francis of Assisi amongst the poorest fascinates and disturbs the powerful Church. Surrounded by his brothers, carried by an intense faith, he fights to realize his vision of a world of peace and equality.

“With a delicate and minimalistic style of direction, Fély and Louvet compare two historical figures to sketch out a very human and relevant portrait of them." - Cineuropa

Directed by: Renaud Fély, Arnaud Louvet
Cast: Jérémie Renier (Élie de Cortone), Elio Germano (François d'Assise), Yannick Renier (Dominique), Éric Caravaca (Léon), Marcello Mazzarella (Rufin), Stefano Cassetti (Bonizzio), Thomas Doret (Etienne), Olivier Gourmet (Cardinal Hugolin)
Genre: Biography, History
Run Time: 1h 27m

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